U-12 Lady Express wins tourney title

McPherson’s U-12 Lady Express captured first place in its own softball tournament over the weekend at Wall Park by going 5-1.

The team is off to a great start this summer with a 14-4 record.

A summary:

• Express 15, Royals 2 — A pair of six-run innings propelled the Express to the victory. Cameron Pelzel was 3 for 3 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Hailey Henson had two hits and three runs scored, Olivia Morgan furnished two hits, two runs and two RBIs. Brette Doile had two hits and two RBIs. Henson was the winning pitcher, striking out six.

• Express 11, El Dorado 0 — Doile pitched a one-hitter and fanned eight to pick up the victory. She also collected two hits at the plate, as did Henson and Maliya Paine.

• Emporia Energy 4, Express 0 — The only loss of the tourney came when the Express could manage only two hits, one by Morgan and the other by Abby Hipp.

• Express 6, Manhattan Stars 5 — The Express pushed across a run in the bottom of the fifth for the exciting win. Henson, Madi Tolle and Ashlon Stanford all picked up two hits. Henson was the winner in relief of Doile.

• Express 8, Pratt 1 — Morgan, Tolle, Doile and Stanford all had two hits, with Doile driving in two runs. Henson pitched a strong game for the win.

• Express 8, Emporia Energy 1 — McPherson avenged its earlier loss as it clouted 17 hits, including three by Henson, Pelzel and Tolle. Morgan and Hipp furnished two apiece. Henson struck out eight to earn the win.